The Dance of the Keepers

Chapter 19 The Rumor

I shifted nervously from left foot to right, hoping I wouldn't do something stupid like trip down the steps when it was my turn. We were all lined up on the dais, waiting to be announced to the nobles in the ballroom below.

"Miss Kairos Taylor of the Roanmage Province!"
The herald cried out, his voice echoing in the high ceilinged room.

I didn't envy the Shadow Wielder being the first to descend into the ballroom, but she seemed perfectly at ease.

"Mr. Chase Ortega of the Kalnaisk Province!"
One of the scared boys descended next, looking fierce in his black tux with a sword hanging at his waist.

"Miss Verglas Peterson of the Capital!"

Glass glanced at me and exhaled deeply.

"Into the wolves, I go."

"Don't trip."
I whispered, making her smile.

"Mr. Jasper Hayes of the Servinius Province!"

Jasper walked forward purposefully, unbothered by the many sets of eyes watching him.

"Miss Vega Darrow of the Quebetin Province!"

Poison Ivy tried to make a grand entrance but tripped and stumbled down the stairs awkwardly instead. I couldn't help but snort.

"Be nice."
Vienna whispered, nudging me with her elbow.

"At least I won't be the first one to take a tumble down the steps."
I whispered back.

"Mr. Teagan Blair of the Roanmage Province!"

Teagan was wearing an attractive blue tux and took the stairs two at a time with a cocky smile in place the whole time.

"Miss Vienna Warren of the Servinius Province!"

I squeezed my friend's hand and gave her a reassuring look.

"You got this girl."

Vienna smiled at me.

"So do you."

She unsurprisingly took the steps with immaculate grace and poise.

"Mr. Hawk Torres of the Capitol!"

The willowy boy with a sour expression went forward.

"Miss Anya Elena of the Quebetin Province!"

Anya was dressed in a white gown with frills and sparkles that reminded me of the snow she wielded.

"Mr. Karl Binsk of the Kalnaisk Province!"

Another of the scarred boys descended, matching his teammate in his clothing.

"Miss Emma Christoff of the Quebetin Province!"

The girl with plain mousy brown hair in a yellow dress that didn't particularly suit her descended, her hands shaking ever slightly.

"Mr. Randon Stec of the Roanmage Province!"

The Stone Wielder's face was stoic as he went forward.

"Miss Astrid Coften of the Servinius Province!"

I was careful to take the steps slowly, one at a time. The ballroom floor was open with a host of nobles lined up along the edges. The walls were overlaid in carved gold, the floor done in white marble. As I stepped off the final stair I moved to stand next to the other competitors lined up along the edge of the dance floor. At the far end of the room sat five thrones, one for each of the royal family members. They were made of a black steel, forged to look like flames. None were yet occupied as the royals would make their grand entrance after us, seeing as they were the focus of every event.